Jo Said:

My 2 1/2 yd old doesn't talk more a few words?

We Answered:

My 1 and 1/2 year old is the same way. He is, and always has been, really advanced in his motor skills. The Ped said some children are just late talkers. My husband was a late talker so I'm assuming it's hereditary. I offer him an extra cup of juice if he's willing to cooperate and say a few things. I hate to say it, but the bribe is the only thing I can get him to do it. I know he understands everything I say and CAN talk, he just chooses not to. Don't worry too much, boys are less talkers and more late than girls.

Good Luck

Viola Said:

My son is 7 and having a hard time with reading. Need some ideas.?

We Answered:

You do not want to overwhelm your son either, I think with the things the school is giving you is plenty. Practice, practice, practice is the key.

Also, libraries have audio books and movies, you could check out the movie or video as well as the book, that will encourage him to read.

Elsie Said:

2yr old Hearing problems...Autism??...?

We Answered:

My son sounds a lot like yours! He babbled all the time but rarely said any words, or only one at a time. Everyone, except me was convinced that he had a speech problem. They tested his hearing, turned out fine, tested him for autism, turned out fine. They did want to put him in speech therapy at two years old, but I declined. In my mind I figured that he would still have plenty of time for speech when he was 3 and was in pre school. I didn't want it drilled into his head that something was wrong with him. I continued to just encourage him when it came to talking and a little after he turned three, it just clicked and he was speaking in sentences. Now he is 7 and never shuts up and does excellent in school.

My youngest child, who is now 2 does have hearing loss in her left ear. The doctors are monitoring it to make sure it does not get worse but for the time being are leaving her alone. She does talk though. She can say small sentences,"mama I go bye-bye" etc. But we do have to speak more loudly to her attention.

I say go with your gut. The testing won't hurt him and IF something is wrong you will at least know early. Sometimes better safe then sorry, but you know your child and 2 years old is awfully young in my opinion to be making judgments on speech in general.

Dave Said:

how to help my 5 year old daughter.?

We Answered:

i think you are doing all the right things already. I believe that not all children learn in the same way and at the same rate. i think that the kindergarten is being slightly judgemental in comparing all the children to one 'check list'.
I really think that you are doing enough and that your child will learn in their own time... however you could try...
Computer programs and educational dvd's like Dora and the little Einsteins which give time for the children to interact, are fun and they are repetitive.
My only advice to you as a parent is once your child gets sick of practising these things don't give up but maybe cut down because doing these every night is great for practise but they may become a chore to your child.
For counting you could incorporate things to count... like at dinner time... ' i need 4 carrots', '2 potatoes' she could then place them on the dot to dot mats of the corresponding number. (just a thought) You could also incorporate this with letters. C for carrot... find it on a flash card... trace it and then try to write it.
I wouldn't worry too much about her not knowing how to recognise all the letters and numbers. i practise singing the alphabet and counting and writing her name and some other letters; names of siblings, mum, dad etc.

i honestly think you are doing a great job and i'm sure she is definitely great at something else.

p.s i was always taught not to correct a child who is mispronouncing a word but just repeat it in the correct way.

eg.."looK Mum, a Upppy"
"Yes mum can see a puppy."

Thought this might help Good luck.

Sonia Said:

when do i know is the right time that my son might need speech thereapy?

We Answered:

My son was barely speaking at 2 and within that year his vocabulary boomed. It will come. Just be patient and before you know it you'll be correcting his grammar, not worried about the babble at all. :-)